Former Lorain County corrections officer sent to prison

CLEVELAND -- A former Lorain County corrections officer was sentenced today to 18 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law, according to Jocelyn Samuels, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Cleveland Office.

Marlon Taylor, 47, of Vermilion, was working as a corrections officer in Lorain County Jail on July 29, 2012, when he assaulted an inmate by striking him repeatedly, according to court documents.

These actions caused bodily injury to the inmate and deprived the inmate of the right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment, according to court documents.

"The vast majority of law enforcement officials do a great job," Dettelbach said. "When someone abuses the power and privileges of their office, however, they can and will be held accountable."

"Marlon Taylor is not representative of the vast majority of the honorable men and women serving within the criminal justice system," Anthony said. "Any allegation of abuse or excessive force involving law enforcement officers takes on a particular sense of urgency and will continue to be a priority for the FBI."